In the Light of Day by Cheyne Curry

“When Riley Vaughn awoke, she instantly knew she was not in her own bed.”

That is how the story starts, and it is the beginning of one of the most impressive opening scenes I can remember. It is indeed not Riley’s bed, but the one belonging to Kya Liberis, the only lesbian present at yesterday’s bachelorette party, during which Riley had become so intoxicated that she hardly remembers anything about it. Not only that, she also has no idea of how she might have wound up in Kia’s bed, with a very naked Kia lying by her side — not that she can even remember her host’s name…

Now, Riley is not a lesbian. Definitely not. Why then does her body tell her of ‘activities’ from the last night? It is an embarrassing situation, and it becomes worse and worse as she is told of what happened at the party — and I had tears of laughter in my eyes as I followed the progress of discovery.

Riley is so shaken up by the experience that she begins to question her assumptions about herself, and admits to being attracted to Kia. She decides not to turn her back on this unexpected experience, and thus friendship and romance are given room to grow.

Very likable characters, brilliant humour, dealing with homophobic reactions — this story has a lot going for it.